Children’s Dental Health Tips

Give Kids A Smile is a nationwide programme held in February in the US...

Thursday May 4, 2017

Give Kids A Smile is a nationwide programme held in February in the US. Launched by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 2003, it brings together thousands of dedicated dental healthcare professionals who provide free oral health services to underserved children.
Surely, encouraging children to take care of their teeth can be an uphill task. We bring you easy tips to help ensure your child’s good dental health and an everlasting vibrant smile.

Teach your children to:

Brush twice (using an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristle toothbrush) to remove accumulated plaque
Brush in small circles cleaning few teeth at a time and along the gum line
Daily floss to remove plaque from between the teeth and under the gum line
Spit out toothpaste after brushing, but not rinse

Tooth-Friendly Food

Encourage your child to eat food that is better for their teeth, like fruits, vegetables, and nuts instead of their favourite cookies, candies, and chips. This will be a challenge but you can overcome it by developing a taste for them in your child. Make the process fun by letting them buy the food and prepare it for the table. Also, hungry children don’t wait for you to chop the carrots and feed them so keep a ready box of sliced fruits and healthy snacks for them to munch on. Save sugary and starchy food for their mealtimes as having them for meals reduces their potential to cause cavities.

Proper Brushing And Floss

Of course, children feel lethargic about brushing their teeth properly once, let alone twice. Thus, you must make this process fun for your kids by brushing along with them, letting them choose their own toothbrush and what brushing music to play!

Dental Visits

Take your children to regular dental check-ups right from the start so that they become used to seeing dentists. Again, make each visit fun by also taking them to the movies, the park, or any destination they’d enjoy going to. Prepare them for what to expect in a dentist’s appointment, by reading them children’s dentist visit books. Keep calm, the dentist will manage if your child fusses!

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